For the Record: Songs about Presidents

BY KELLIE LAMBERT | REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

“James K. Polk”

They Might Be Giants

The 1990 song, originally a B-side to the more popular “Istanbul (Not Constantinopole),” begins with a description of the 1844 Democratic National Convention and covers some of the highlights of Polk’s presidency. This tune is a fan favorite and is often performed live.

“Harry Truman”

Chicago

The song was recorded for the band’s 1975 album, “Chicago VIII,” and featured lead vocals by Robert Lamm, who also wrote the tune. The single, which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, was performed on 1975’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” television special, where guitarist Terry Kath mocked the band’s lip-syncing by holding cue cards depicting the song’s lyrics.

“Abraham, Martin and John”

Marvin Gaye

The 1968 song, written by Dick Holler and first recorded by Dion, was a tribute to the memory of four assassinated icons of social change: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. The tune was written in response to the assassination of King and that of Robert Kennedy in 1968.

“He Was a Friend of Mine”

The Byrds

The 1965 tune laments the death of President John F. Kennedy, and is probably one of the most famous songs about an American president. The track was altered from a traditional folk tune of the same name that has been covered by other music notables like Willie Nelson and Cat Power.

“Bonzo Goes to Bitburg”

The Ramones

The 1985, first released in Great Britain, came to the states a year later on the album “Animal Boy.” The tune was a criticism of Reagan’s visit to the Bitburg military cemetery, where Nazi soldiers are buried. The song name was changed to “My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)” for its Stateside release, to please band member Johnny Ramone.